Key-operated rotary switch.



M. GUETT. KEY OPERATED ROTARY SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16. 1912.

1,138,752. Patented May11,1915.

WITNESSES: IN VEN TOR. mo'nroe Gueil:

A TTORNE Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MONROE GUETT, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE HART & HEGEMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD,

CONNECTICUT.

CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF xnv-ornm'rnn ROTARY s'wi'ren.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Application filed January 16, 1912. Serial No. 671,437.

type, the object being to provide a concealedand protected key-operating mechanism of such a character that the mechanism cannot be tampered with by an unauthorized person to render it inoperative. I am aware that there are key-operated rotary flush switches now on the market, but sofar as I I know they are of a type having an exposed part which can be removed without the use rarily inoperative.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a switch embodying my invention, some parts being shown in central vertical section. Fig. 2 is a plan v1ew of the base plate. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the sleeve iii plan and side elevation.

Inasmuch &my invention is not concerned with the character of the switch mechanism I have not illustrated any part of that mechanism, except the top of the spindle. As is usual, the switch is mounted in a porcelain base indicated at a and is provided with a face plate I), the base being usually set in a recess in the Wall, and the face plate lying against the surface of the wall. The spindle 1 is threaded as usual and theoperating sleeve 2 is secured thereon,

having notches 3, 3 which as shown are diametrically opposite. The face plate is apertured in alinement with the spindle, and in this aperture there is permanently secured a thimble 4 closed at its outer end except for the key-opening .5 which is in the form of a central aperture 6 for the key shank; having lateral slots 7, 7 in alinement with the notches 3, 3 in the head of the operating sleeve 2 to receive the bits 8, 8 of the keywhich are adapted to engage the notched head of the operating sleeve. There is enough clearance left between the top of the operatingsleeve and the end of the thimble to permit of the free play of the key, but not enough to permit of entirely unscrewing the operating sleeve off of the spindle either by the key or in any other manner it being, noted that the turning of the sleeve upon the spindle in the switchactuating direction screws the sleeve more firmly thereonwhile a turning of the sleeve in the reverse direction unscrews the same from the spindle. It will also be apparent that inasmuch as the operating sleeve has peripheral notches and as the endv of the thimblehas narrow slots in alinement with the notches, which are just wide. enough to permit of the passage of the forked-end of the key, it is impossible to operate the switch; mechanism except with the special key" des1gned for the purpose. g I

" I claim as my invention I i '1. electric switch of the :rotary f and constituting a stop to prevent its disene gagement fro n'said spindle, said faceplate aving a key-receiving-aperture with lateral slots in alinement-with the notches ofsaid operating sleeve.

2. The combination with an electric switch of the rotary-type having a spindle, a receptacle in which the switch mechanism is mounted and a face plate adapted to be secured in position to overlie the mouth of said receptacle, a thimble carried by said face plate, an operating sleeve secured to the switch spindle and located underneath said face plate, and concealed by said thimble, peripheral notches in the top of said sleeve, and a key-way through said thimble in alinement with said sleeve having a central aperture to receive a rotatable key shank, and lateral slotsin alinement with the peripheral notches in the operating sleeve and g type, anoperating spindle, a, notched operatof the key and either lost or destroyed, thus rendering the switch'at leasttempomeans for preventing the disengagement of said sleeve and' spindle.

3. The combination with an electric switch of the rotary type having a spindle, a receptacle in which the switch mechanism ,is mounted and a face plate adapted to be eral notches in the top of said sleeve, a thimble concentric with said spindle and sleeve and having its open end permanently secured in an aperture in the face plate, and

a key way through the end of said thimble comprising a central aperture to receive a rotatable key shank and lateral slots in alinement with the notches in said operatin sleeve, the distance between the to of said spindle and the outer end of sai thimble being less than the length of said sleeve.

4.. In an electric switch, the receptacle, a face plate adapted to overlie the mouth of said receptacle, a switch spindle, an operating sleeve having threaded engagement therewith, peripheral notches in the head of said sleeve, a thimble positioned on said face plate with its open end permanently secured in an a erture'in alinement with said operating s eeve and concentric the ewith, the closed end of said thimble having a key way out therethrough provided with a central aperture to receive a rotatablekey shank, and lateral slots in alinement with the peripheral notches in the operating sleeve, the distance between the top of said spindle and the outer closed end of said thimble being less than the len h of said sleeve.

5. In an electric switch, the receptacle, a face plate adapted to overlie the mouth of said receptacle, a switch spindlelign operating sleeve having threaded e gagement therewith, peripheral notches i the head of said sleeve, a thimble positioned on said face plate with its open end permanently secured in an aperture in alinement with said operating sleeve, the closed end of said thimble having a key way out therethrough provided with a central aperture to receive a rotatable key shank, and lateral slots in alinement with the peripheral notches in the operating sleeve, the closed end of said thimble constituting a stop to prevent the disengagement of said sleeve from said spindle.

6. In combination, a switch-holding receptacle, a face plate cover therefor, an exteriorly-threaded switch spindle, an internally threaded tubular operating sleeve adapted for screwing upon said spindle upon turning in the switch-throwing direction, an annular projecting top flange upon said sleeve, peripheral opposite notches in said flange, a thimble concentric with said sleeve and spindle and arranged exteriorly thereof secured in an aperture in the face plate, the closed end of said thimble having a key-way with lateral slots adapted to aline with the notches of said sleeve, and the length of said sleeve being greaterthan the distance between said closed end of the thimble and the free end of said spindle.

MONROE GUETT.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR S. ALLEN, CLARENCE M. HALL.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 0t Patents,

- Washington, D. G. 

